McDonald’s Happy Meal Promotion Offers Features For Parents
For the first time ever, McDonald’s recently offered a mini magazine entitled “Relax” free with the purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal with excerpts of fashion, parenting and other relevant articles. Offering an unexpected treat for parents, the 40-page digest-sized “Relax” featured excerpts of fashion, parenting and other relevant articles. The publication was tipped on to the Happy Meal bag.
McDonald’s partnership with Limited Too and Blockbuster provides special coupons located on the side of Happy Meal packaging offering 15, 20 and 25 percent discounts on purchases at Limited Too and free video game or movie rentals with purchase from participating Blockbuster stores.
Volvo Runs Promo With Virgin Megastores
Volvo Cars of North America is teaming up with Virgin Megastores as part of a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote the new Volvo S40 to a new, youthful and diverse customer group. “For the launch of the Volvo S40 we looked at partnerships that are unexpected for us,” said Thomas Andersson, Exec. V.P. of Marketing for Volvo. “We’ve teamed up with Virgin Megastores because their customers fit the profile of the target audience that we are trying to reach.”
The cooperation with Virgin Megastores consists of two parts: the All Access Tour and an All Access Drive Experience. At the All Access Tour consumers will be able to see and touch the Volvo S40 via an interactive kiosk that features holographic displays of the vehicle’s exterior, interior, lifestyle and safety features. Product specialists will be on hand to talk to consumers. Participants will receive a free music CD that is loaded with music from up-and-coming artists, Volvo messages and links to the Volvo All Access Tour web site. The All Access Tour is set up to encourage prospective customers to attend the All Access Drive Experience. Both day time and night time drive sessions are offered. On Saturday nights, the drive program will feature live performances by a new recording artist. The event combines a closed-course driving experience with a live concert, helping Volvo achieve a positive relationship with a new, youthful customer group.
RadioShack Conducts Womens Heart Disease Awareness Tour
LifeWise, RadioShack’s brand of health and wellness products, is sponsoring The Heart Truth Road Show, which will bring heart health information to women across the U.S.
“The LifeWise brand is supporting The Heart Truth Road Show because it mirrors our vision of providing Americans with actionable guidance to reduce or eliminate one of life's beatable foes,” said Christine Pendarvis, V.P, Merchandising for RadioShack Corp.
In each of the cities of The Heart Truth Road Show, visitors can stop by the LifeWise Pledge Kiosk to receive information about the LifeWise Truth Pledge, take an interactive risk assessment test and complete an exercise personality profile. The LifeWise Heart Truth Pledge encourages participants to make a small change every month to minimize risks for heart disease. RadioShack’s new LifeWise brand includes fitness products such as a heart rate monitor and electronic body fat analyzer.
Revlon Ties-In To ‘Havana Nights’ Film
Revlon has launched an integrated marketing program to promote the Company’s partnership with the Lions Gate Films release of “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.” The campaign launching the Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Color Collection by Revlon features media advertising, point-of-sale merchandising, and licensed product.
Stephanie Klein Peponis, Chief Marketing Officer for Revlon, said, “Each function within the company worked together to deliver an exciting 360-degree brand experience from product development to retail execution.”
The Revlon Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Color Collection reflects the bold and sexy attitude of the Revlon brand. Point-of-sale merchandising for the Collection will echo the look and attitude of the advertising utilizing the movie tagline, “Break the Rules, Find Your Freedom, Live Your Life.” The film stars are featured on the display riser in a dance sequence.
Coca-Cola Red Lounges Target Teens
Coca-Cola and Westfield Corp., a global operator of shopping centers, have opened Coca-Cola Red Lounges in two Westfield properties; Vernon Hills, IL and Los Angeles.
The Coca-Cola Red Lounges are experiential spaces where teens can hang out and learn about new music, movies and games. The Coca-Cola Red Lounge features custom-built furniture, a media wall with plasma screens, sound domes to focus the content, and glass-front vending machines stocked with Coca-Cola beverages.
Developed by the Rockwell Group, a design firm based in NYC, the Coca-Cola Red Lounge features unique programming specifically developed for teens by FUSE, G4, Sony, ESPN Video Games and Twentieth Century Fox.
“The Coca-Cola Red Lounge is a great example of the experience-based innovation we are bringing to our customers,” said Tom Boyle, V.P., Innovation, Coca-Cola Co.
McDonald’s Announces McKids Licensing Program
McDonald’s has announced plans to introduce a multi-category licensing initiative called “McKids.” The new McKids retail line will feature action-oriented toys, casual contemporary clothing, interactive videos and books, all reflecting kids’ active lifestyles.
Larry Light, McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer said, “McKids will unify all our retail licensed products under one brand, with one look and vision. It exemplifies the kind of new focus and bold action that is redefining McDonald’s. It’s all about connecting with consumers in fresh, relevant ways both inside and outside our restaurants.”
Casa Bacardi Opens At Tampa International Airport
HMSHost, a provider of food, beverage and retail concessions to the travel industry, and Bacardi U.S.A., have introduced Casa Bacardi at the Tampa International Airport. Designed to bring a fun, distinctive atmosphere into the airport environment, Casa Bacardi showcases the customs, cuisine, and distinct flavors of the Caribbean Islands.
Café style seating, vibrant décor elements, and glass outer walls complement the Airport concourse’s architectural flair and evoke the spirit of the Bacardi tradition.
At Casa Bacardi, travelers can enjoy a Bacardi cocktail or a complete casual dining experience featuring lighter fare items such as Conch Fritters and Tropical Grilled Tuna.
Blimpie Xpress To Open In Wal-Mart Stores
Blimpie International has entered into an agreement to own and operate Blimpie Xpress restaurants in Wal-Mart retail locations across the country in 2004.
Blimpie Xpress restaurants feature a selection of subs, salads, wraps, items from the new Blimpie Carb-Counter Menu and snack items. These Blimpie X press locations will also serve breakfast and dinner menu choices.
“Our Blimpie Xpress restaurants provide a convenient, quick-service format, which is a perfect fit for Wal-Mart customers," said Jeff Endervelt, CEO of Blimpie. "By locating our restaurants in the world's largest retailer we are able to offer a substantial business opportunity for both Blimpie and the franchisees that will be selected to own and operate these locations.”
Schlotzsky’s Announces Wi-Fi Initiative
Schlotzsky’s has expanded its free wireless Internet access (Cool Cloud) from its Austin, TX base to include restaurants in six states.
The expansion reflects the Company’s business model that “free wireless is great for business,” said Monica Landers, Schlotzsky’s spokeswoman.
Where Schlotsky’s has tested free Wi-Fi service, more than 40% of customers said that free Wi-Fi was a factor in choosing Schlotzsky’s to dine, and 6% said that free Wi-Fi is the key reason they chose to come to Schlotzsky’s that day. “Wi-Fi has also extended our business beyond the lunch hour so the restaurant feels alive at all times,” said Landers.
Shlotzsky’s restaurants will now feature “Cool Deli stations,” where customers can surf the Web, check e-mail and play games. They can also access the Web for free with their own wireless laptops or PDAs.
Napster-Brand Products Launch At Target
Napster, a division of Roxio; Imation Corp., a leader in data storage media; and Case Logic, a supplier of personal technology organization solutions, announced a partnership with Target Corp. that will bring the Napster online music experience to the retail shelf. Target Stores will feature the first “one-stop shop” in a retail environment where consumers can find everything needed for a complete digital music experience, including pre-paid Napster download cards, a Napster 2.0 and Roxio software pack, blank Napster-brand optical products from Imation that feature unique “value-added” promotional codes for redeeming free music downloads, and Napster-brand CD cases from Case Logic.
Steve Eastman, V.P. Merchandising, Target, said, “The Napster line offers Target guests options to obtain and store the music they want, both in-store and online at Target.com.”
SKYY Spirits Unveils SKYY View Bar
San Francisco, CA-based SKYY Spirits recently unveiled its SKYY View Bar, custom designed to serve double duty as SKYY Vodka’s hip cocktail lounge and photo opportunity backdrop featuring SKYY products at independent film festivals across the country.
The SKYY View Bar’s contemporary design features the trademark cobalt blue glow and silver look and is part of the SKYY View Lounge, a cinema-inspired moveable salon designed to showcase original content.
“The SKYY View Bar is a physical extension-of our groundbreaking SKYY Cinema advertising and integrated platform of film,” said Paul Fuegner, V.P., Marketing, SKYY. “Maintaining a sophisticated presence at independent film festivals across the U.S. allows us to bring contemporary cocktail style to life.”
Designed and constructed by Source Marketing, Westport, CT, the SKYY View Bar incorporates three plasma screens, logos and signage in a 10' x 10' fully functional bar.
Henri Bendel Celebrates Release Of “Catwoman” With Exclusive
Merchandise
Warner Bros. Consumer Products has joined forces with the distinguished fashion institution, Henri Bendel, to celebrate the release of the film, Catwoman, starring Halle Berry.
Keeping with Catwoman’s sexy style, Henri Bendel will carry an exclusive selection of apparel and accessories inspired by the film. The store windows will also convey a Catwoman theme. “The sleek, powerful and feminine feel of this film is a perfect fit for Henri Bendel and our customers,” said Ed Burstell, V.P., Henri Bendel.
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